Custom Framing When You Don’t Want to Pay for Custom Framing

Continuing with the map theme we’ve got going in the library, my husband and I came across a relief map of our area of Tennessee one day on one of our antiquing adventures. But, being the thrifty type we are, we decided to skip the pricey authentic version and look for a cheaper replica, which we were able to find with just a little searching. {Click here for the one we found. Andthis oneis great,too. Many other states available, as well. Ilove these!}

The only issue was that I knew I was going to have to get a little creative with the framing, since it wasn’t a standard size and I didn’t want to spend a lot on custom framing.

After all, I’m really needing to save my money for a chair to go in this space, as you can see…

So, I went to one of my trusty sources for frames: the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby. This huge 24×36 had a chip on one of the corners, so it ended up on the 90% off aisle and I scored it for only $20. (Thrift stores are a great place to find large frames for projects like this as well.)

Then, instead of matting it, I asked my husband to cut a piece of particle board to 24×36 and I covered it with burlap and hot glued it to hold it in place.

Then, I attached the map to the board with an upholstery tack on each of the four corners.

After that, I just popped the board into the frame, stapled it in place, and it was done.

Since we already had the board and burlap, the whole framing job only cost me $20, and I think Ilike this look better than a traditional lookanyway.

It’s pretty cool from the side, too!

Click here to see our map gallery wall on the other side of the room. And for more projects in the library, click here.

Hope you like this! And now the search continues for just the right chair!